An additional comment on this topic...

I've already stated this, but we've determined that the constant trolling in the political forum created the nasty atmosphere that encouraged vicious personal attacks. While these classic meltdowns may have generated additional traffic in the style of a train wreck, this is not sustainable. In the long run, folks are offended by some of the vicious comments, and they do leave. I can name a half dozen long time members who no longer visit here because of the vicious attacks, and I'd love dearly to have them back.

The disaster that was once our political forum is over. We encourage vibrant, lively discussion, even strong disagreement, but we will no longer allow the relentless trolling or singularly personal attacks. Sooner or later, someone from the other side of the spectrum will offer a troll posting, and it will be met with the same result. The political forum is now for adult discussion.

If you have an ax to grind, take it elsewhere. As to the QRZ comparison, there will be no bannings unless someone really wants to force our hand.

I'm confident that we can return to being a forum where amateur radio operators may discuss the topics of the day without fear of retribution from the staff, and free from the disgust of being personally insulted by others.

Thread locks do no damage, except for those whose ego overrides common sense. Don't troll, incite hatred, or personally insult others, and we won't lock the threads. Act as an adult, and be treated as one. That's in our rules, and seems pretty reasonable.

ETA: Nobody ever said that a new discussion of a topic in a locked thread was forbidden. Almost any reasonable topic is allowed, so if a thread you were interested in gets locked, start a new one!